Autumn ... love those colors!

I went on a little road trip last Thursday to Steamboat, Colorado. I have to tell you, the colors were fabulous along the Colorado river.  The Cottonwoods were more vibrant with their yellows and golds than I have seen in a long time!!  Stunningly beautiful!

Seems only right to work with the colors of my favorite season.

 This little quilted wall quilt or table topper is perfect for the season!! And of course Maple leaves are more than appropriate!  It is currently for sale in my etsy shop if you are interested: https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/pinsandtangledneedle/tools/listings/stats:true/486683181

Then there are my gowns.  This one, though the picture doesn't show it to its best beauty is a wonderful green plaid.  A reproduction of a 1880's walking gown.  It, too, is being sold: https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/houseofpoleighnaise/tools/listings/stats:true/473187434

And this one as well!  A reproduction of a bustle ball gown ... I love it! https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/houseofpoleighnaise/tools/listings/stats:true/488765263

Even though Autumn is my favorite season, the winter holidays are near, so on to sewing with the Christmas season color palette .... bring on the reds and greens!

On a little side note, the 8th is a very important date.  Of all of the elections we've been faced with, this one really needs your vote.  I do not care to know which candidate you like or dislike. Just vote.  We have an interesting future ahead of us .... I wish I had a crystal ball, but alas, I do not.

Chloe's eyes will dance Baby Quilt

Good morning!!!

Last week, my niece had a baby shower for her and hubby's first baby. They are a wonderful couple! So accomplished in so many ways :)

I like bright colors for baby quilts. More importantly, babies like bright colors. Stephanie said the nursery was in gray, yellow and pinks.  I substituted coral for the pink, and went with a bright yellow and soft grays. Personally, I think its really pretty!  Chloe's eyes should dance when she looks at it. 

 And because I like the backs of my quilts to be in busy prints (isn't Steph beautiful?):

Then there are the scrapes. I wasn't quite ready to give up playing with the color scheme ... So I made this little 26 inch square cutie to go on the etsy site to sell for Corgi rescue.

Fall is in the air. Duh!  October LOL.  Next quilt started are fall colored oak leaves.  This will probably be the next blog entry.  The squares are finished and on to sashing and completing.  

Autumn.  My favorite season!  The cool air, crisp sounds. and the colors!!!!   

Have a beautiful day, my friends!!

I DEFINITELY have been absent. My apologies!  However, I am back :)

A lot has happened, and a lot of moving forward is going on.   Needless to say, new things are happening. Reviving past loves is one of them.  I love quilts!  I love making them! I love wrapping myself up in the. I love giving them as gifts, hanging them on walls and draping them over tables.

A passion of mine are my Corgi's. They have given me joy in some of my darkest days. Their boundless energy is contagious. I feel it is time to give something back to this hilarious breed of dog, and I fervently want to open a Corgi Rescue facility. A GoFundMe campaign is underway: https://www.gofundme.com/2mstp4zx

I do not believe in taking without giving something in return, so I have been making quilts to give to those who give certain amounts. I have also devoted the Pins and Tangled Needles etsy shop to aiding with this goal.  All proceeds from that shop go to the sanctuary of Corgis in need: https://www.etsy.com/shop/pinsandtangledneedle?ref=hdr

So!  I am keeping pretty busy!  LOL I am loving it!

Some of my projects?  Here, take a look :)

And yes, my life wouldn't be complete with making a doll LOL

I am still busy making historical reproduction gowns.  A gal needs to eat, and you know how we quilters love that pastime, but my evenings and other moments of spare time are at the other sewing machine creating quilts and such. 

Abba and Boston a year ago,

... have grown into their ornery selves. This picture taken after instructing them to sit pretty for a picture.  Sigh .... hahaha

Creating a safe haven for Corgis, and me, is an on going project, and the thrill of everyday life is a happy place.

I am back!  I am busy!  I am happy!!  :)

Wishing you all a great day, and remember to smile!

Celebrity Loss

Sometimes we look at Celebrities as being larger than life.  Many are deemed Royalty, and whether it is on the screen or the stage, nothing seems to get in the way of their success.  We tend to forget they are people just like we are. They have their trials in life. Their emotions are not any different than any one else. They love, they laugh, they cry, they live .... and like we have found out this week, they die.

 On August 11th we lost a tremendous Man.  Not only was he a huge success as an actor and comedian, but an incredible humanitarian.  Loosing someone through natural causes is difficult enough ... suicide amps the loss to another level.  Seems harder to believe.  Harder to understand and comprehend.  Robin Williams captured the hearts of probably everyone in one form or another, in a multitude of age groups.  He was literally adored.  As a friend of mine stated, "he was different". And as his wife stated, "remember him by his life, not his death", and remember we all will. At 63, he was way to young to leave this earth, but Heaven all the richer to have him.


And then while I was on Facebook earlier this evening, I saw that Lauren Bacall passed away today at the age of 89 of a massive stroke.  I like to think she is now, finally, back with the man she was so perfect with in life.  Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall together at last.  I loved the sound of her voice!  She was a class act. A beauty .... who didn't even see herself as  such, and in my minds eye, that made her even more beautiful.  Her most famous line came in the movie "To Have and Have Not": "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together ... and blow."

Rest in Peace you two!  You will be sorely missed

So many things I love to do

I have been busy working on UFO's ... my goodness I have more than I thought I did LOL  This one is still a work in process, but closer to finished than when I first retrieved it from its boxed coffin haha

And this one is getting closer as all I need to do do decide what border I want to put around ...

But as is the story of my life, quilting is not the only thig that brings me joy. Since 1983, I have been making historical gowns. This picture is the inspiration photo of the 1878 Natural Form era gown:

And here is the completed gown, the back:

And the front:

 As well as a close up of the skirts ruffles:

So now it sits on ebay with the hope and dream of someone desiring to purchase it. Busy hands and all that ... I still manage to find elements of trouble however haha.  Wishing you all the very best!

UFO's unearthed

Kind of on a roll!  When I moved to the townhouse, everything went into boxes, and nearly a year later, those boxes are being opened with. "Oh!  I remember this!"  I am sure you know how that goes.  Or if you don't, you ought to try it sometime. Kind of fun seeing something that was almost forgotten, and now has the opportunity to get finished.

This is my Dad's quilt, and since this picture was taken, the final row was pieced and attached, and now it sits waiting for me to purchase the backing.  My Dad.  A tremendous Man.  He has an easy smile and an infectious wit.  A Civil Engineer, a Rancher, a Realtor, County Commissioner ... he even ran for Wyoming State Congress.  He's just pretty amazing.  He wanted a lap quilt, and he wanted brown.  Off to the stash I went, and found pieces which were appropriate with a western theme.  Only thing was, the print was a large scale, and cutting too small would take away from what the print represents. So I chose to use 4 1/2 inch wide strips and make it look like the strips were weaving in and out on an irregular avenue.  Kind of how we weave in and out during life ... at least to me at any rate.

Found this UFO in an old crock I use to hold some of my fabrics making them close at hand when
needing a small scrap of something.  Couldn't tell you why the finished blocks were in there, but hey!  At least they were found. This picture just shows them on the flannel board, but I sewed them all together a couple of days ago.  It sits and waits for backing fabric, too ... but I think I would also like to put a couple of borders around the edge, only IF I can find fabric to compliment.  I used a Free Spirit line, and this quilt top is made from 1 Jelly Roll, and 2 different tone on tones I had in my stash.  Turned out to be a lovely large square quilt, that is bright and cherry and I love that.

And then there is this one.  I pulled it out yesterday.  Trying to remember when I started it, and the closest I can come is maybe 3 or 4 years ago.  I love Sampler Quilts, but I like them done in this fashion.  That way, wherever you look at the quilt you see something new.  Worked on it some last night finishing off the top row section as well as a block into a lower section.  Picture later.

Western Colorado is beautiful!  Semi arid desert region, and where I live is at the conjunction of the Gunnison and Colorado rivers, thus the name Grand Junction for this little city of ours.  The fabrics in the last picture remind me of what I see as a color scheme here.  Depending on when you look around, whether it is the morning sun burning away the night time sky, or the end of the day as the purples enter to chase the sun away. Or if you look at the numerous trees with their varied shades on greens, flowers dotting each yard, and even the concrete sidewalks and the asphalt streets have a way of enhancing color.

 But when you look beyond that, Grand Junction sits in a valley surrounded by the Bookcliffs, Grand Mesa and Colorado National Monument.  Three very different looks, each carrying their own unique color scheme.  This is my home ... and I love it!

The infrequent blog entries are going to end!  New things happening in the life of Diane and Pins and Tangled Needles.

This last year has been a year of growing, healing and New Beginnings.  And at a time of seeing the Sun shine brighter than I have ever seen it, I am enthusiastic for what lies ahead.

I love babies!  They are the greatest thing in the world, especially when born to some pretty amazing parents.  So with this quilt, now finished and delivered, I am finishing one up for my amazing Dad! Pictures of that soon!  Not to mention an increasing amount of UFO's which are no longer whispering their existence ... they are now screaming LOL .... it will be good to revisit them

A new thing is about to happen at Pins and Tangled Needles.  A Long Arm!  Huzzah!!!  I have been waiting a long time to get one of those  beauties, and as soon as the details are worked out, I'll be sharing that with you as well.

But for now, I wish you the best of days!  Be well and Smile

Blocks finally assembled!

I received the prettiest fat quarters for Mothers Day: Flea Market Fancy by Free Spirit.

Then I took this pattern:

and made the blocks shown in the first picture.

Coming very soon will be the completed quilt top, which I can't wait to see how it turns out!

More later!

Good Morning, and Happy April!!!  Sunshine mixed with rain showers are here on the Western Slope of Colorado.  The grass is greening up, spring bulb flowers are in bloom and beautiful where ever they are planted.  Easter is on Sunday ... It's a beautiful day and a beautiful week!

Join Pins and Tangled Needles on Facebook and be eligible to win the April Give-Away!  Woopie Pie cookbook, retro apron pattern and jumbo ric rac to adorn the apron you make.  Can't you just see those aprons done up in bright colors?  And with the retro fabrics available, the options are endless!  I love RETRO!  And why bother buying those little cream filled oatmeal cookies when you make your own!  Where you can have as much filling in them as you want!  LOL ... Life is too short to not have a lot of filling, you know ;)

Drawing is done by Random.org, and will be held on Monday next.  That gives you 7 days to join my Pins and Tangled Needles Facebook page and then you can get an extra chance at winning by simply leaving a comment on the Give-Away post.  All in all, it is a fun prize!

To all of you, have a Wonderful Spring Day!

Dr. Suess says it pretty darn good, now doesn't he?

Today I am steering myself to the studio to get market bags finished up and etsy bound.  It is windy outside, with rain and snow predicted, so I'll get the tea kettle on, and hunker down.  I would say I would put a book on tape on, or get Pandora set up for a station to further motivate, but as my studio is also the same room as my sons Xbox, I'll have to be content with the final disk of "Final Fanasy 13" ;)  It really is a good story line, so there isn't to much complaining coming from the drafting table and sewing machines.

My wish for you is to have a wonderful day!

What is on your needles? ....

First of all, Congratulations to Eileen Hook, the winner of the January Give-Away!  Thimbleberries pattern, "Block Trick" and Thimbleberries fabric will be sent her way ASAP!

Western Slope Colorado is sunny and .... somewhat warm.  Windy today, so it makes it feel colder than the temperature says it is.  Still, I felt compelled to pull out the needles where there are fingerless gloves being knit.  Just about finished with the second one, and then off to a new needles project.

Do any of you Facebook?  Join the "Creative Knitting Magazine"  page. Every Wednesday this month they are posting a new knitting stitch.  This weeks is Smocked Trellis and is wonderful!  http://www.creativeknittingmagazine.com/blog/?FCBK  Just in case you are not registered with FB yet, here is the pattern from their blog.

Speaking of Facebook, please join us on our FB page, Pins and Tangled Needles. We would love to have join in on our fun. It is a great place to get inspiration and share pictures and words of crafting wisdom and lore. 

January Give-Away ....

Hi!!!  As promised, here is the scoop on January's Give-away!  From now until midnight Tuesday, January 10, 2012, I will take your names which should posted on the comments of this blog OR post comments on Pins and Tangled Needles on Facebook.  If you have not joined onto the Facebook page, then by all means, Please Do So!  I would love to have you there sharing right along with the rest of us! 

The items for the January Give-away are "Thimbleberries" Block Trick pattern and a 2/3 yard piece of Thimbleberries Flying Colors fabric.Give-away!

Happy New Year! .....

2012 will be full of good people, good times and new craft adventures! Looking foreword to fun ahead!

Here we go! Another new year to play around with. A year to try something new (like keep up on blogging better, for one thing). Finish up projects during 2010 (and 2009 ... and 2008 haha). New fabric art projects to try our hand with. Goodness, but the list can go on, and as I am pretty sure your list is similar to mine, there are going to be variations as well.

Tomorrow I will be pulling fabrics together for a table runner. My Hubby made two new dressers for our bedroom for Christmas, and one of them is in need for something pretty to sit on top. I am going to make a variation of a French Braid pattern in reds, yellows, creams and black. I'll

show you tomorrow.

I encourage you to join me on Facebook! Pins and Tangled Needles is a great place for all of us to share our pictures. Our wisdom. Our stories. Our love for fabric crafts.

Also, Pins and Tangled Needles is going to start doing monthly drawings this month. More on that tomorrow, too.

In the meantime, Allow me to wish you all the Merriest of days ahead in 2012. Blessings to you all!

Bye-Bye Birdie ....

In this case, HELLO Birdie!

I need to back up a bit. While visiting family over Thanksgiving, I spied the coolest piece of Sagebrush in a galvanized bucket for a decoration. Me? Copy something like that? You bet I would! Mimicry is the best for of flattery ... or so they say.

After retuning home, Hubby found a wonderful piece of Sagebrush and in a bucket of my own it went. Now this piece of shrubbery needed decorating. Besides, I had made a flock of birds for a local Holiday Craft Show, and what a perfect display piece it made. Once getting it back home, I added lights and ornaments to make it a bit more Christmas complete.

So, if you have an inkling to make your own flock, here is the pattern: http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/2008/11/spools-bird-softies/

I over heard one woman mention she made some for a crib mobile for her infant daughter, and the article associated with this pattern says the birds were made for a bird themes wedding. All I can say, is I have another flock in the process of being made, and they are easy and fun ... and if you don't want to attempt to make them, but want some, just let me know and I'll make them up for you. Some are going on our etsy page WillowMesa soon, too.

Join me on Facebook! .....

I have decided to incorporate Pins and Tangled Needles on Facebook. The social network is huge and the way I see it, what a wonderful way to access all of the extraordinary talent that is just waiting for us to meet. The friendships that are awaiting us is just to good to pass up.

So PLEASE! Join me on the Pins and Tangled Needles Facebook page and let us get started on the fun. There will be a Mystery Quilt starting soon as well as BOM and Sampler blocks being prepared for sharing. As soon as there are enough people to participate, I want to get a Round Robin started.

Do you knit or crochet? Well, never fear, there will be plenty of inspiration directed in your direction, too.

Bobbin Lace and Tatters out there? Well, as "I" want to learn those fascinating arts, I have every intention of bringing those people with the love and knowledge to help us pick up a new hobby ... or two.

As always, I want to share recipes, folklore, and pictures. Everyone has a favorite picture of their own personal artwork to share don't they? And I haven't met any one yet who doesn't have a story to share. Not to mention, quilters don't go anywhere without a plate of cookies! ;)

There are plenty of other thread and fiber arts that need to have their own special limelights, and I sincerely believe that you and I can expose the pure love and enjoyment they have to offer.

I also want to incorporate contests and monthly drawings. If any of you want to promote your business or art form to help out with the monthly drawings, please let me know.

Okay, I believe that is all for today.

As the New Year approaches, let us remember how wonderful 2012 can be with new Friends and arts and crafts to do and share.

Sweet coolness ....

Woke this morning to a chilly house! Love it! Wonderful, wonderful cool crisp air! Hey, living in a semi arid desert region makes summer time hot. I look VERY foreword to Autumn ....

Note the little gadget button I put in the upper left corner this morning! A Christmas Quilt Along is definitely in order as the weather brings us all back indoors to find snuggly comforting things to occupy our time.

How many of you only make homemade gifts for Christmas? Like me, I can well imagin there are some people who cherish that homemade gift far more than one purchased at the dreaded Mall (I don't like Malls all that much). Well, if you haven't already begun your homemade gift giving projects, let's get underway together! What are your plans? Who are you making things for? Do you get all giddy feeling just thinking about it?

Well, I'm off to the work room!

You all have a wonderful day!!

Little Girls ....

Have I mentioned how I love little girls clothes? Probably not ... but now you have heard it from me. I LOVE little girls clothes. However, I like little girls clothes to carry a twist. I find pastel has its place, but I much prefer a bolder look. After talking to a few wee ones, I have discovered they want to look like their Moms.

As soon as I find decent little girl mannequins ... or a way to photograph the little darlings clothes, I will begin sell them (the clothes, not the little girls) on etsy. Here is one of the outfits. This one is a girls size 6. Three pieces consisting of jacket, skirt and petti-underskirt.

Back to the mannequins. Ebay has some nice cloth type ones that appear to be right up my ally. The one I have now is a hard plastic and there is NO way to manage the arms properly. It is beyond difficult working sleeves of dresses onto this bazaar mannequin. So, as soon as I replace her, I think she can go to live at Goodwill or something.

Idiom for the day: Can't Cut the Mustard .... in other words, a new girls mannequin is an absolute must!

The sky is, again, abeautiful shade of blue and hardly a breath of air ...colors are beginning to turn. Autumn is beautiful here ....

Idiom: Sitting on pins and needles ... OUCH!

Alright, so it doesn't mean to actually sit on pins and needles .... but it does mean someone is very anxious and/or nervous. Where am I going with this, you ask? Well, it never ceases to amaze me how life can generally get in the way with something you may really want to do. If you find yourself overly thinking about those desired aspects you find yourself anxious. But! ....

Life is finally calming down.

I "should" be able to get crafting and work out those business ambitions.

I should ... I should ... I should ...

Well, here is to a positive outcome. As always, I have such high hopes and dreams to really get my business up and running. So many things that scream for attention from sewing to knitting and a bazillion things in between.

I woke up this morning to the sun shining. The sky has been the most amazing color of blue today. My sewing room is completely located to a wonderful new room. And as I sit here writing to you on this blog site called Pins and Tangled Needles, the only anxiety I feel is the anticipation of the bright days coming.

Perhaps each blog should contain a Idiom ... I like them ... they make me smile.

Have a tremendous rest of the day ... see you tomorrow!

Ewe Ewe Yarns Cafe Latte Cowl Knitting Patterns - NobleKnits Yarn Shop

Ewe Ewe Yarns Cafe Latte Cowl Knitting Patterns - NobleKnits Yarn Shop

I absolutley love this little pattern! Is it to early to start thinking winter knit wear? I mean really ... is it?

As I sit here, pondering this question in the comfort of an airconditioned house, knowing that it is 90+ degrees outside, I know I can long for the cooler months of fall. So with that in mind, shouldn't I be prepared? Shouldn't I enter the cooler months in style?

ABSOLUTELY!!!!''This pattern will be downloaded ASAP, and with kniting needles in hand, I will venture into the land of COOL!